Throughout the 1960s, institutional reform continued on a wide scale. Willmar became the first "open" hospital, both physically (through open doors) and psychologically (through minimal use of restraints).

Professional administrators were hired to manage the business end of the hospital, leaving the practice of medicine to psychiatrists and other medical experts.

The state hospital at Willmar was the first to become an "open" hospital.

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center, the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.